The minutes restrictions and resting of John Wall early in the season to protect his knees may not be over, but the grip likely loosens provided he doesn't have any unusual soreness or setbacks after playing in his first back-to-back games with the Wizards.

Wall logged 24 minutes in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers and 31 in a win over the New York Knicks on Wednesday and Thursday. And despite those restrictions, he averaged 25 points, 8.5 assists and 3.0 rebounds in those two games.

"I don't like to miss games, and I feel like I could have played earlier on. It was just a part of what the doctor's plan was and taking my time," said Wall, who has appeared in nine of the Wizards' 11 games after surgeries to both knees May 5. "It would've been better if we could have won both games."

The Wizards (3-8) dropped winnable road games against the Orlando Magic and Chicago Bulls when Wall sat in the second game of back-to-backs.

The more significant procedure occured with Wall's left knee that had bone spurs. It took longer to heal than the right one which had loose particles removed.

"As long as my knee don't swell up and it's no pain, that's the only key," Wall said of what could get in the way of him being able to play in tonight's game vs. the Miami Heat. "I'm doing a great job of doing my treatments, making sure I use ice and getting massages."

In his seventh NBA season, Wall is averaging a career-low 32.6 minutes. The only other time he was in this range came in 2012-13 season when he was out with a stress reaction in his left knee -- an overuse injury -- that cost him 33 games of action.

First-year coach Scott Brooks has been cautious with how much he leans on Wall early, and he has lightened the practice load for everyone so they can stay fresh in an 82-game season.

It was a short night for Wizards guard Bradley Beal in the 2018 All-Star three-point contest on Saturday, as he was eliminated in the first round.

Wearing the Wizards' new 'The District' white alternate jersey, Beal shot a 15 and fell short of the top three spots to qualify for the second round. Suns guard Devin Booker won the contest with a 28 score in the final, beating out Klay Thompson of the Warriors and Tobias Harris of the Clippers.

This was Beal's second showing in the three-point contest. He finished second back in 2014 and this year said he was motivated to avenge that loss. He should have plenty more opportunities to participate in the future if he chooses.

The NBA's All-Star Saturday night began with Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie winning the skills competition. He beat Bulls big man Lauri Markkanen in the final round.

Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell won the dunk contest. He edged Larry Nance, Jr. of the Cavaliers in the finals.

Skills competition

What to know: This year's crop has a fascinating mix of guards and big men and don't sleep on the seven-footers. Embiid in particular has a unique skillset for his size. Still, it's tough to beat the guards. Watch out for Dinwiddie, who is the best passer of the bunch.

Three-point contest

What to know: Thompson and Gordon enter the contest as past champions, as Thompson won it in 2016 and Gordon took it home last year. Thompson has the best three-point percentage among the group and is the favorite, but watch out for Beal, a past runner-up, and George who has the second best percentage. Also, Booker is one of the game's best young players and has a very smooth stroke from three.

Dunk contest

What to know: This is all about the rookies, Smith and Mitchell, who most are predicting to win. Oladipo has been in the contest before, but didn't win. He's also the only All-Star of the bunch. Nance is the only guy who isn't a guard and his father won it back in 1984. It will be interesting to see if he does some sort of nod to his old man, now 34 years later.